This week is my "week off"
before I fly out to the quilt festival in Canada, and Quilt Market in
Portland.
Sophie is graduating from 5th grade and elementary school a couple days
after that trip, so I am trying to get everything done before then.
One of those projects is the quilt that her class is making, in
conjunction with their study of the Civil War.
After all my talk about supporting young people who want to sew, I
thought I better put my money where my mouth is, and share the joy of
quilting with some kids!
So I've been going in on Tuesday and Thursday for a few weeks, spending
over an hour each time, teaching them the basics of sewing as we cut out
and sew quilt blocks.
Today as several of them finished their blocks, and many more could see
their blocks taking shape, there was a definite excitement in the
classroom.
Several kids said they wanted to take them home to sew, before I come
back on Thursday for our last class.
They all have a needle and spool of thread, and several of them have been hoarding scraps.
They have the makings of a serious bunch of quilters!
One of the boys was so excited he was practically hyperventilating.
"I finally know how to sew and repair my stuffed animals!"
A few of the girls came to me at the end of class and asked, "Can I keep
my scraps?" I leave a pile of scraps on the table when I leave…
Sophie is very happy to be able to share her knowledge of sewing, so she's been my assistant teacher in all of these classes.
I can see how a Sewing Club in Middle School could be a real hit,
especially if we could do some cool projects that the *KIDS* choose.
Simple stuffed animals made from colorful prints would be a smash hit, I am sure.
Maybe a few stuffed robots and monsters for the Sci-Fi fans?
I told the kids that when I was their age, I took Home-Ec in school and sewed every day for a semester.
"Lucky you!" they declared, hands on hips and stomping their feet.
What a gift to be able to share my passion with an enthusiastic bunch like these students!
Lucky me!
*************************
Our beloved friend and teacher Libby Lehman is still in serious condition in a Houston hospital.
I am posting updates on my personal Facebook page, and will post today's update on my blog:
This is latest report from Ricky Tims….
Libby is about the same, not much change and still in critical condition. She is
in sedated sleep and has not been allowed to wake up. This allows her body to
heal, but more importantly it should help with the vascular spasms that continue
to occur in her brain at the location of the stroke. It still may be a while
before the attempt to slowly wake her.
The best news is that this morning
there was significant response from her left leg and arm. The doctor was
elated.
There are other minor issues but the family has been assured
there is no worry for those and that the main focus is still on letting her heal
so she can eventually wake up. She is breathing on her own for the most part
(still on a breathing machine at low setting) and her vital signs are all
good.
I know many quilters want to DO SOMETHING. The family has asked for
cards or quilted cards. It is important that any organized efforts to make
quilts or blocks be less urgent. I am aware of several efforts in place to make
Libby a quilt.
Please consider the ramifications of this effort. Libby
does not generally use quilts – so they will most likely be stored. Libby makes
art quilts, not functional quilts. She doesn't have display space for wall
quilts. She will not want to give them away to charity because they will be very
meaningful, but storing these items will be challenging.
I know Libby
well enough to know that being inundated with quilts, regardless of how
thoughtful it is meant to be, will be challenging for her. She will find a
graceful way to deal with it, but just having to deal with it is not necessarily
the best thing for her during a recovery period of what could be one to two
years.
I maintain that doing something significant down the road is the
better option. I'm not trying to be squelch a desire to help – I'm thinking from
a different perspective. Sometimes pulling back on the reigns is the most
helpful thing to do.
Send your cards and quilted cards to:
Libby
Lehman
617 Caroline
Houston, TX 77002.
Ricky
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RE: Lucky Me!
Libby, I think that in this case the kids are the lucky ones.
Maybe this is an idea who’s time has come. Volunteer quilters (guilds would be a good source) could volunteer their time, as you have done, as a community outreach program.
I think schools would be receptive to the idea since the only costs involved would be a classroom and time.
Projects can be paired with all sorts of classes: history, geography, reading, art appreciation, and even math.
Children your daughter’s age are a perfect group, since they have not grown cynical and would not think that sewing or quilting is “just for girls”.
Pairing quilting with class subjects would make the lessons come alive for the students.
Maybe you could spread the seeds for this idea as you travel. Let’s get those kids hooked on quilting! 🙂
I loved this story Luana. I use to do art projects with my daughters classes. All the kids look so happy!